Arsenal in 'pole position' to sign Declan Rice with midfielder ready to 'make clear' he favours Gunners move

West Ham captain Declan Rice is ready to make it clear that he favours a move to Arsenal this summer, it has been claimed.

Rice looks destined to leave the London Stadium after another impressive campaign for the Hammers.

Arsenal are believed to be at the front of the queue to sign the England international, while Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Manchester United have also been linked with the midfielder.

Arsenal have made Rice their No 1 transfer target as they look to build on the success of this season.

Mikel Arteta is keen to bolster his midfield, with Granit Xhaka expected to join Bayer Leverkusen and Thomas Partey to subject of interest from clubs in Italy.

The Mirror claim that Rice is ready to make it clear he wants to join Arsenal this summer.

It is claimed that the Gunners have already put in a 'huge amount of work' to sign the West Ham captain, who has already rejected the offer of a new long-term deal at the London stadium.

Arsenal favourites to sign Rice

Arsenal believe they are in 'pole position' to get their man but could face a battle to get a deal over the line.

West Ham are willing to sell Rice this summer but only if a club meets their £100m+ valuation of the midfielder.

Sky Sports Germany claim Arsenal have already submitted an initial bid for Rice worth around £70m.

Hammers boss David Moyes has previously admitted that there is a "good chance" Rice will move on this summer as he looks to further his career, having previously stated his desire to play Champions League football.

"We honestly hope he stays," said Moyes earlier this month.

"We'd love for him to be a West Ham player but we are aware that might not be the case at the end of the season.

"So that's one of the scenarios around planning. There are plans that we have Dec here but we're also fully aware there is a good chance we won't have him."

Rice has kept tight-lipped about his future and is determined to end the season on a high with West Ham, with the UEFA Conference League final against Fiorentina coming up on June 7.

Before then, West Ham face Leicester on Sunday in their final match of the Premier League season.

Topics: Arsenal, West Ham United, Football, Declan Rice, Premier League, Transfers

Rory O'Callaghan

Rory O'Callaghan is Editorial Lead at SPORTbible. He has previously worked for Sky Sports News, MailOnline and Reach covering football, cricket, boxing and MMA. Tested daily as a Liverpool fan in a Manchester office.

@rory_ocallaghan